Winning TD Ruled Too Late at Auburn

AUBURN, Ala. -- Danny Etling's 15-yard game-winning touchdown pass to D.J. Chark was overturned by video review citing no time remaining on the clock, and LSU fell to Auburn, 18-13, on a steamy night at Jordan-Hare Stadium.

On the previous play, LSU (2-2, 1-1 SEC) was flagged for an illegal shift after picking up a first down at the Auburn 2-yard line with 0:01 to play. With the clock starting on the official's whistle, Etling - who rolled out of the pocket and found Chark for a tip-toe grab in the back-right corner of the endzone - was ruled to have received the snap after time had expired.

Auburn (2-2, 1-1 SEC), which kicked six field goals in the contest, celebrated its first league win of the season by running the length of the field to its student section.

Etling finished 15-of-27 passing for 118 yards with a touchdown. He was sacked three times and left the game for a play with cuts to his head and lip in the first half. Etling ran the ball 11 times for 23 yet yards including runs of 12 and 18 yards on the final drive.

Running back Leonard Fournette had 16 carries for 101 net yards. Derrius Guice added 62 yards on three rushes, while Chark had an end-around for 35 yards.

On a 90-degree early evening from The Plains, LSU won the coin toss and deferred its decision until the second half. Cameron Gamble kicked off to the goal line for the visiting Tigers and Auburn started the game at its 25.

Slow Start; Auburn Wins Field Position to Take Lead

A short punt by LSU's Josh Growden allowed Auburn to start its third possession at its 49-yard line. After making the game's initial first down with a 10-yard pass on third-and-3, Auburn took a 3-0 lead with 6:32 remaining in the first quarter with a 51-yard field goal by junior Daniel Carlson.

Guice Runs Wild

LSU showed its muscle in the ground game, as Fournette started a scoring drive with an 11-yard run around the left end. He went to the sideline for one play and his backup, Guice, took a handoff from Etling 52 yards to the Auburn 8.

On third-and-goal from the 3, Etling bought time with his intended receivers covered, and shuffled a pass to tight end Foster Moreau. Moreau lumbered to the goal line and was initially ruled down short of paydirt. Video overturned the ruling and LSU took a 7-3 lead with 12:19 left in the half.

Third-Down Plays Lead to Auburn FG

Passes of nine and 21 yards by White helped Auburn pick up a pair of first downs and enter LSU territory. However, an 8-yard sack of White by LSU defensive end Davon Godchaux on third-and-goal at the LSU 8 kept Auburn to a 29-yard field goal by Carlson.

Auburn trailed 7-6 with 12:19 to play.

LSU Misses 51-yarder; Auburn Hits Chip-Shot

A 35-yard run around the right end by Fournette moved LSU to the Auburn 40, but Etling took a helmet-to-helmet hit two plays later and left the field for a first-down play at the Auburn 24. After video review, Auburn linebacker Tre Williams was ejected for targeting.

Brandon Harris entered for a 4-yard handoff to Fournette, and Etling was greeted by pressure upon returning on the following play. An incomplete pass and a 10-yard sack led to 51-yard field goal attempt by Colby Delahoussaye that had the distance but missed to the right.

Auburn took advantage of the miss with a 29-yard field goal of its own. The three pointer was setup by a 36-yard reception by Darius Slayton to the LSU 18. But, the LSU defense again strengthened in the red zone, and Auburn was forced to settle for a field goal. Auburn led 9-7 with 5:14 left in the half.

LSU's Goal-Line Stand

Etling barely overthrew D.J. Chark on a deep route along the right sideline and LSU punted two plays later.

Auburn used a 36-yard reception by Kerryon Johnson on a wheel route to enter LSU territory in the closing minutes of the half.

With first-and-goal at the LSU 5, four Auburn rushing attempts - including three from the 1-yard line - were stopped by the LSU defense.

LSU trailed 9-7 at halftime.

Auburn Extends Lead to 12-7

A nine-play, 72-yard Auburn drive resulted in Carlson's fourth field goal of the game, this time from 31 yards.

White's 12-yard scamper and his 24-yard pass to Stevens put Auburn on LSU's side of the field, and a personal foul for roughing the passer led to the short field goal.

Jeter's Catch Gets FG Back

A 16-yard run by Fournette on the first play of the drive and a 32-yard catch-and-run by tight end Colin Jeter on the next led to a 29-yard field goal by Delahoussaye.

LSU trailed 12-10 with 5:36 remaining in the third quarter.

Key Turnover Turned Into Lead

A 9-yard sack and strip by defensive end Arden Key on Auburn's ensuing drive was picked up by Godchaux at Auburn's 16.

Three runs by Fournette netted nine yards, and LSU decided against the risk and opted to take the 13-12 lead with a 25-yard Delahoussaye field goal with 2:32 left in the quarter.

Auburn Returns FG Favor

For the fifth time, Auburn ended a drive with a field goal. This time, its 10-play, 55-yard drive - which included a 23-yard screen on third-and-4 near midfield - concluded with a 37-yard effort by Carlson.

Auburn regained a 15-13 advantage with 12:36 remaining in the game.

LSU on the Move When Ball Slips Away

The Tigers quickly vaulted into Auburn territory with a 35-yard end-around by Clark to the 40. Fournette nearly broke off another big run, but on second-and-2 from the Auburn 32, the ball slipped from Etling's grip and bounded off Fournette's leg. Auburn recovered at its 31 with 11:33 left.

LSU forced a three-and-out, and Auburn punted for the first time since its first two drives of the game.

Chop Block Puts LSU Behind the Chains

After a 36-yard Auburn punt was fielded at the LSU 30, LSU was charged with a chop block on first down and couldn't recover. Growdon was called upon and his punt of 34 yards was fair caught at the Auburn 37.

Auburn Milks Clock for Sixth Field Goal

An 11-play, 51-yard Auburn drive took 6:05 off the fourth-quarter clock, and Auburn again finished it with a field goal of 29 yards off the right foot of Carlson. The home Tigers led 18-13 with 2:56 to play.

One Final Drive

Etling picked a first down with a 12-yard run and another with a 16-yard pass to Dural to the Auburn 47. On third-and-8, the LSU signal caller ran for 18 yards to the Auburn 27 before passing to Dural for nine yards. LSU picked up a first down with a short pass to Malachi Dupre, but Etling took a 6-yard sack on second-and-10.

LSU used its final timeout with 24 seconds before gaining 10 yards on a pass in the flat to Dupre. With the clock running under 17 seconds, Etling completed a first-down pass to Dural at the Auburn 2, but the Tigers were flagged for an illegal shift while trying to get the play off quickly.

With one second remaining, Etling attempted to get the Tigers set before taking the snap. He rolled to the right to open space and threw over the top of the defense to Chark, who caught the pass to the delight of the LSU fans.

Moments later, with LSU celebrating, the play was reviewed and its joy turned as the referee announced that the play was not allowed.

Next

LSU returns to Baton Rouge to face Missouri in Tiger Stadium for the first time. The Homecoming contest will kickoff at 6:30 p.m. CT on the SEC Network.